Official groundbreaking for Pigeon Forge’s Jake Thomas Connector was conducted by city officials.
Drivers will have an easier time getting to Dollywood and its resorts, shopping, and entertainment thanks to the link.
Tennessee / Pigeon Forge — Now officially open, the two-mile Jake Thoms Connector in Pigeon Forge connects Veterans Boulevard to the Parkway.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner and city officials officially opened the route on Tuesday. Despite having sidewalks on both sides of the road, the connector is walkable even though it opened to traffic at the beginning of April.
The project is significant for the community as a whole, according to TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley.
“We know that we have millions of tourists coming into this community every single year and we want them to have a good experience and part of that experience is getting them to where they are going on time,” Eley stated.
Drivers now have a more direct path to Dollywood, its resorts, shopping, and entertainment thanks to the link. According to TDOT, there are also a lot of ADA-compliant ramps spread out along the sidewalk to facilitate bikers and those with disabilities.
Eley added that the project was within budget and on schedule.
In April 2022, work on the link began.
